Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-08-18
LETTY'S SURPRISE

eS, saul MIS-. Lansing GiDSOn,
rising and shaking out her slken
skirts, with gracious smile, II am
perfectly satisfied, Miss Whitaker.
am certain that would be, after Mrs.
Halsey's recommendation l am sure
your playing is charming. Yox will
give Genevicve her first lesson on
Monday, at four? You will find her
tractable. | hope you will be mutu-
ally pleased with each other"
And Mrs. Gibson went smilingly out
of the music room, leaving her little
girls newly engaged music teacher
rolling up her music and putting on
her gloves.
1t was raining when she pulled on
her rubbers in the hall; the drops were
splashing down on the window. Lefty
bit the end of her music roll in con-
sternation. She had on new dress,
and new dresses were not common
occurrence with her.
She was wondering whether she
might not wait in corner of the big
hall until the rain slackened, when
somebody came bounding down the
stairs, three steps at time. 1t was a
genial-faced young man. in hat and
overcoat, and with an umbrella.
Letty's fair cheek pinkened. This
was Raymond Gibson, she knew. She
had seen him often enough in the
street, and at church, where Lefty was
sometimes substituted for the organist,
who had habit of taking rest when
he felt like it.
S he had heard Miss Taylor, to whom
she gave lessons, talk about him to her
bosom friend, detailing his good looks,
the amount of his fathers fortune and
his general projections, and declaring
that he was by far the most desirable
'catch" in town. And Lefty had come
to have certain timid consciousness
concerning him, because he always
looked at her so steadily when he met
her. not to say stared. She looked up
at him now in tremulous s.iyness.
"Oh, I'm so glad!' cried young Mr..
Gibson breathlessly. Il was afraid
you'd be gone, Miss Whitaker. You'll
let me take You home, won't you? It's
raining hard. And you haven't an
umbrella. I've been in the library lis
tening to your playing, and | can't
say how much I've enjoyed it, Miss
Whitaker. I'm sure Genevieve is aw-
fully lucky to get you"
They were going down the front
steps. He had her music roll, and had
offered his arm. and was holding his
umbrella 40 far over her that his silk
hat was getting rained on.
1--WE enjoyed your playing in church
so much, Miss Whitaker he went on
eagerly. 81 wish Paterson would stay
away all the time"
ooh, Lefty protested with her eyes
on the wet street, I'm a very poor
substitute, Mr.. Gibscn!'
Indeed you're not" said the young
man earnestly. 81 prefer your inter
pretatiOns, really-your touch, your
expression, everything. I'm always
delighted when Patersons away. How
muddy its getting! Let's cross the
street, Miss Whitaker"
They met Sadie Merritt as they
crossed it. Sadie was in the Gibson
''set," and she gave the little music
teacher and her escort a stare of
amazement.
Lefty felt somewhat frightened as
they walked on; but Mr.. Gibson
seemed to gain enthusiasm.
"Do you like music tcachingP' he
said, helping her across Il puddle. Il
suppose it's a bore?"
II do get tired sometimes" Lefty
admitted. "But l like it. I've nice
class"
"All ages, SUPPOSED" said Mr.. Glib
son.
"Oh yes; from six to twenty. From
the first lesson in the instruction book
up to Chopin" Lefty rejoined.
~ on take beginners, then?'
Eyes"
The Wilcox carriage was approach
ing, and the Wilcsxes were particular
friends of the Gibsons. Lefty was glad
the corner of her street was so near
II have always liked music" said
Mr.. Gibson hesitatingly. IL sup
pose I'm rather old to learn, but could
you take another pupil?'
Another pupil!' She echoed.
81 should like awfully to learn, you
know" said Mr.. Gibson eagerly.
and it sha'n't be any trouble to you.
I'll come to the house. You do take
pupils at the house. don't you? |
should like it immensely"
Lefty was dumb with establishment
A music pupil? Mr.. Gibson? What
an incredible idea! And yet she was
not displeased at the prospect.
They had reached her modest little
gate, and she looked up with u timor-
Gus smile.
"Why. certainly, Mr.. Gibson, il you
wish, she murmured.
II certainly do WISH" he responded
emphatically; and he looked highly
delighted.
And when he turned away from the
door, five minutes after, the date and
hour of his first lesson had been ar
ranged, and he had forced upon his
teacher his first terms tuition.
Lefty gave her mother a light sketch
of that first term. at lis close. She
had gradually recovered from her
amazement at the requirement of her
latest pupil. and had given herself to
his instruction with all her usual inter-
est and energy.
Hes very bright, really, mamma"
she declared. .'Of course it seemed
funny to have to teach him the very
rudiments. Why, he had to begin with
the staff, and learn the names of the
lines and spaces, just rs my youngest
scholars do. 1t was all | could do to
keep from laughing, the first lesson.
But he learns so easily. He really has
good technique and can see he's go
ing to have lots of feeling for music.
He's got along really well. know he
must practice awfully hard. He can
play little piece with both hands al
ready. and he says he'll play it at the
rehearsal Thursday afternoon. told
him he needn't if he didn't want to.
You know all my class is going to
play, and I'm afraid they'll laugh, it's
so funny TO see him playing it. But
he says he'd just as leave as not. Of
course III explain that he hasn't taken
lessons long"
Mr.. Gibson came next day for his
lesson; he took two week. He
played his scales through carefully,
and then executed his ''piece" with
laborous pains, but with great success.
Lefty was delighted.
IF you do as well as that at the re-
hearsal!' she said, with a pretty en-
thusiasm which glued her pupils eyes
to her face. Miss Taylor has offered
their parlor, you know, and I'm 50